I have been looking for one … they are either too expensive or too cheaplooking !
Khair , I wanted to ask anyone who might have used the food warmer that has a little tealight candle holder under it .. so basically you lit up the candle and then place the bowl over it ..
Does it actually warm the food up? or is it just another useless gib? does the flame not damage the bowl ?
Re: Food warmers ..
Depends on what type you buy - the type with one tealight don't do anything, you need one that takes around 2-4 tealights. However, even then they only work when the lid is on the bowl. I left one on once for a couple of hours and didn't stir the contents, and that was the only time that I had a bit of a burn.
My mum and I have since invested in a set of chafing dishes and thoroughly recommend them. The initial outlay is expensive (£30 plus per chafing dish and we bought ten!) but you'll use them forever. They really keep the food warm evenly, and doesn't dry the rice out either. It won't burn the food since there is a layer of water between the flame and the dish and the chafing gel is cheaper when you bulk buy as well.
Hope that helps.
Re: Food warmers ..
wow Brit thats certainly helpful ... thanks for the detailed response .. see I just need it for this one time , normally i dont even need the food warmers .. so I am trying not to buy the expensive options ...
lekin i will go check the options you mentioned .. thanks so much ..
Re: Food warmers ..
For a one time use, get these frames where you can put foil trays with a bit of water and then put the food dish in it. Light the gel with a wick type thingies underneath it. I think we got the frames for like 3 dollars each and they work almost like chafing dishes.
Re: Food warmers ..
hmm sounds like a good idea Ira .. I wonder if we get em here in the UK .. I will look in the stores ... where did you get them from? and are they disposible? like you use them once for half hour or an hour and throw them away?
Re: Food warmers ..
If it is not lot of food , use the warm function of your own oven , they all have that option and works better than any other option for a small party .
Re: Food warmers ..
For a one time use, get these frames where you can put foil trays with a bit of water and then put the food dish in it. Light the gel with a wick type thingies underneath it. I think we got the frames for like 3 dollars each and they work almost like chafing dishes.
That is a chafing dish that you have described. I didn't realise that you can get disposable chafing dishes though although I would think that would work out a bit expensive.
Aimee, yes you can buy stainless steel chafing dishes in the UK. You can get them online if you just search any catering suppliers.
Re: Food warmers ..
Guys, i think i understand the chafing dishes, what i am talking about are not those.These are just metal frames and you use disposable foil trays on top. I am not sure what these are called but i have seen them at walmart, costco, sam’s club etc. Here is a pic of what I am talking about and although they are not entirely clear, you can see the dark metal sticking out on the sides of the foil trays. Please do not quote this link.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=11323556&l=121f89c4cc&id=719770701
Re: Food warmers ..
^ Well the principle is the same as a chafing dish, but the 'proper' ones have a stainless steel dish and lid that sits inside a larger dish that contains an inch of water. The gel burners underneath heat the water and the steam heats the food in the dish IYSWIM
Re: Food warmers ..
The ones Ira is talkign about… those are disposable wire chafing dishes… I’ve seen packs at Party city.
We invested in the stainless steel chafing dishes 2 years ago, they’re totally worth it… wehn we have parties (which we have often)… I no longer have to heat and re-heat food in the microwave or oven anymore… so much more convenient 
Re: Food warmers ..
I think those chafing dishes are great as well. Just have to remember to keep a ready supply of chafing gel for them.
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Yes Brit chick the idea is the same. And i agree the actual chafing dishes look real cute. Some of our friends have invested in them and i think their dawats look really put together because of them.